Problem With Betta And Blue Gourami

[Bingo Watkins]

Morning all, new here so go easy!

Fairly new to this fishkeeping lark, had my 200l tank about 3-4 months, other than one case of swim bladder disease due to overfeeding, I've had no problems.

Anyway, I got a Betta about 5 weeks ago, and he settled in fine. Last weekend I purchased 4 Blue Gourami. I read up on them first, and saw no reason for them to be incompatible with the Betta. A couple of sites even mentioned that they'd be ok with each other, and the guy in the LFS said it should be fine.

The Betta was getting quite angry towards the Gouramis almost straight away, and would puff up his fins and flare his gills. This continued most of this week, so I just assumed he was being a bit terratorial as he used to be the 'big fish' of the tank.

I got home yesterday to find him just lying at the bottom of the tank, thought he was dead at first, turns out he was just asleep. He then spent a lot of time at the bottom of the tank, and his fins were looking a bit ragged. I fed them, and after that, the agression kicked off again. Anyway, it seems the Gouramis are now retaliating a bit and I saw a couple going for his fins.

I've put him in a breeding trap, and since then, there have been a few occasions of the gouramis circling the betta, and him getting angry again.

Now, have I made a big mistake putting them together, or is it just a case of them getting used to each other?

Thanks in advance for the help and sorry to waffle!

 

[spectrum]

Hi, welcome to the forum

No, they probably will not get used to each other.
Bettas do not often work in community set ups. And they only do when added last to the tank, that way they don't feel their territory is being invaded by new fish. You could buy a cheap 5-10gallon set up and keep him in there? (Obviously cycle it first)
If not then I would take him back to the fish shop and maybe get a new one once your stocking is complete? Simply becuase he won't be happy in a breeding trap forever.
hope this helps

 

[BethK]

He wasn't sleeping, he is most probably over stressed and on the verge of being bullied to death.

Gourami's and betta shouldn't be together and that fighting won't stop. You have a constant fighting scenario on the go.

To stop it, put the betta in a tank on his own, or return the gouramis to the shop as you have been ill advised or put a separator in the tank.

The Gourami will end up killing the betta. If his fins/tails are ripped, you will need to treat him with either an anti bacterial agent, as they are fresh wounds, if you don't want to do that, keep an eye on the water and his tail. I would personally recommend you use 'stress coat', to help aid him back to full health.

Betta CAN work in community tanks but you have to choose your fish carefully. Don't put any other fighting fish in with him or long tails and you're set. But put a betta in with territorial or fighter fish and it won't end pretty x

 

[Bingo Watkins]

Cheers guys, not the answers I was hoping for but I guess they're the ones I expected.

Not sure what to do now, I think he might have to go back which is a shame as he's gorgeous. Toying with the idea of getting a 'designer tank' for the kitchen, but it's a bit of expense just for that. Really don't want to take him back we've become quite attatched!

 

[BethK]

Got to pets@home or similar and get yourself a 17ltr tank for £20, a heater and a few plants.................betta sorted!

If he has fin/tail damage, it's unlikely he will be rehomed any time soon

 

[Bingo Watkins]

Got to pets@home or similar and get yourself a 17ltr tank for £20, a heater and a few plants.................betta sorted!

If he has fin/tail damage, it's unlikely he will be rehomed any time soon

His fins don't look too bad, but I see your point. I'll try and get to Pets at home this afternoon and keep you updated!

 

[BethK]

Never know, he might like being in the kitchen on his own

 

[Bingo Watkins]

This is probably a mega stupid question, but will I need a filter?! I've read about people keeping them in bowls, vases etc. Surely they don't have filters?!

 

[BethK]

This is probably a mega stupid question, but will I need a filter?! I've read about people keeping them in bowls, vases etc. Surely they don't have filters?!

Not having a filter will mean very regular water changes, daily in fact to ensure that the water is clean. A filter may well keep your fishy a lot happier and with a heater, a filter is ( IMO )a must have x

 

[loraxchick]

if you have an airpump, extra filter media and an old fish food container (or clean prescription bottle) you can very easily make your own filter. no need to buy one. daily or every other day waterchagnes would be enough without a filter, but filtering is suggested just because it makes it easier on the keeper to not have to constantly be doing maintainance.
if youd like instructions on how to very easily build a small filter, give me a PM. id be happy to oblige
cheers

 

[MrNiceGuy]

Last weekend I purchased 4 Blue Gourami. I read up on them first, and saw no reason for them to be incompatible with the Betta. A couple of sites even mentioned that they'd be ok with each other

haha i dont know where the hell you're getting your information but you better check those sources man, its very common knowledge in the fish world that these guys are entirely incompatible. not only will they fight, but the betta (no matter how tough he may think he is) is no match for a blue gourami. and dont trust fish store people either, most of the time they just want the sale or they don't know what they're talkin about.


i hope it all works out for you though, get the betta outta there and hope for the best